Politics

Ariel Sharon's Death Sparks Strong Emotions Across Middle East

6:40pm January 11, 2014

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died Saturday at the age of 85. Israelis mourned the death of the celebrated politician and army general. But Palestinians reacted differently to the death of the controversial leader, who pushed for Jewish settlement of Palestinian territories.

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New Iranian President Brings 'Resurgence Of Hope' For Some

6:40pm January 11, 2014

Reporting from inside Iran has been very difficult for Western reporters over the last several years. The disputed 2009 elections triggered massive anti-government protests. In response, Iran cracked down hard on protesters, and clamped down tightly on journalists' access. That has begun to change with Iran's newly elected president, Hassan Rouhani. Scott Peterson, reporter for the Christian Science Monitor, was recently able to visit and report from Iran for the first time in more than four years. Peterson speaks with host Arun Rath about his trip.

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Politics & Government

U.S. Slow To Allow Syrian Refugees To Emmigrate

12:45pm January 10, 2014

Four years into the conflict in Syria, relief agencies working with refugees are starting to shift their focus to permanent resettlement. But not many countries — the U.S. included — are welcoming Syrian refugees with open arms.

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Politics & Government

N.J. Gov. Christie Faces Traffic Jam Scandal

10:21am January 10, 2014

Uncovered emails and text messages link Gov. Chris Christie's administration to a scandal involving the closing of lanes leading to the country's most traveled bridge. It snarled traffic for days. The emails add evidence to claims from state Democrats that the closure was political retribution for a mayor who did not endorse Christie for re-election.

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Politics & Government

McCain Lays Al-Qaida Surge In Iraq At Obama's Feet

10:29pm January 08, 2014

by David Welna

Al-Qaida has gained control in an area where 1,300 U.S. troops lost their lives during the Iraq War. Troops who came home are now wondering whether it was all in vain, the Arizona Republican says. He says the total withdrawal of troops from Iraq left a vacuum that's being filled by America's enemies.

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Katherine Hackett of Connecticut introduces President Barack Obama during a White House event on unemployment insurance Jan. 7. Hackett spoke about her financial struggles during unemployment before Obama put pressure on the House to extend benefits.

Politics & Government

Senate Unexpectedly Moves Forward On Unemployment Benefits

9:05pm January 07, 2014

by Tamara Keith

After a procedural vote in the Senate on a bill that would temporarily extend emergency insurance for the jobless, President Obama held a White House press conference to pressure Congress to keep the momentum going. But Republican leaders say they need spending cuts or job-creation plans in return.

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To help cut down on fraud, Congress is limiting access to the Social Security Administration's data about people who die in the United States each year.

Tighter Access To 'Death Master File' Has Researchers Worried

10:51am January 07, 2014

by Brian Naylor

The Social Security Administration has long kept track of deaths so it can stop checks when recipients die. And while researchers have used the file for years, fraudsters have, too. So Congress is limiting access to the data — and that has everyone from bankers to genealogists concerned.

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Justice Sotomayor Blocks Part Of Birth Control Mandate

11:42am January 01, 2014

The Supreme Court justice issued a decision Tuesday night that's putting part of President Obama's health insurance law in doubt. Groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged are suing to block the law, saying it violates their religious freedom.

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the opening of the New York Genome Center on Sept. 19 in New York City.

Assessing Bloomberg's Legacy Is A Complex Task

11:16am December 30, 2013

by Margot Adler

On Tuesday, Michael Bloomberg ends his three terms as mayor of New York City. His 12 years in office were groundbreaking, locally and globally.

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Up Next For Joe Biden, A Busy Year — And A Choice

4:24pm December 28, 2013

by Brian Naylor

As the vice president enters his sixth year as President Obama's second-in-command, there comes the natural question: What's next? A long-time senator, Biden has run for president before, and is making some moves that suggest he may do so one last time.

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